Feel the Heat at these Saunas by the Sea in Cornwall

Photo courtesy of Olla Hiki, Fistral

Fire up your winter beach days with a sauna beside the waves. Whether you’ve been on a brisk beach walk, braved an icy-cold dip, or been out capturing the crisp Cornish scenery on camera, there’s no better way to warm up than in a sizzling-hot sauna with a cracking sea view.

Originally invented by the Finns as communal spaces for getting together, relaxing and cleansing in harsh Nordic winters, mobile saunas are popping up on beaches all over Cornwall. 

As well as being a welcome sight on a cold day, these hot boxes are becoming quite the place to unwind.  They offer all sorts of health and wellbeing benefits, including improved circulation, enhanced detoxification, a reduction of muscle inflammation, and a boost to the immune system. 

Plus, when you know you’re returning to a sauna, you won’t bat an eyelid at the thought of getting cold on some chilly beach adventures. 

Here are some of our favourite saunas by the sea near Padstow, where you can feel the glow this winter.

Saunas by the Sea, Polzeath and Harlyn

Baby Bay, Polzeath. Photo courtesy of Saunas by the Sea

If you’re seeking a warm winter oasis on a pair of the prettiest beaches near Padstow, Saunas by the Sea have popped their wood-fired saunas right beside the waves at Harlyn Bay and Baby Bay, Polzeath. As you recharge and relax with Atlantic views, you’ll feel the heat in your bones, whatever the weather’s doing outside. Plus, with the waves just footsteps away in both locations, you might well be tempted out of your little hot box for a cooling surf or sea dip.

Wildwood Spa, Mawgan Porth

Photo courtesy of Wildwood Spa.

Footsteps from Mawgan Porth beach, the Wildwood Spa takes you on an invigorating journey through hot and cold therapies, maximising the wellbeing benefits of these ancient treatments. Tucked in woodland a short stroll from the waves, it’s a wild and serene location, with two wood-fired saunas, a trio of cold plunge tubs, two hot tubs, bucket showers, a cold swimming pool and fire pits. Wild and indulgent in every way, it’s the perfect spot to embrace the elements this winter.

Olla Hiki Sauna, Newquay Harbour & Fistral Beach, Newquay

Photo courtesy of Olla Hiki, Fistral

Surf or sea dip? Whichever you choose, the cold won’t put you off when the Olla Hiki sauna is fired up and waiting on the shoreline. Perched beside Newquay harbour (home of year-round sea dippers and dog walkers), until 18 February, you can feel the glow at communal drop-in sessions, seasonal rituals, or even book it out for private hire. Then from late February it’ll be back on the shores of Fistral Beach, ready to beckon you into the warmth after a chilly session in the waves at Cornwall’s surfing capital. 

Soul Sauna, Trevone, Nr Padstow 

The simple pleasures of a sauna by the sea await footsteps from the sand and sea pool at Trevone, just a short hop from Padstow. Whether you hike the coast path, brave a dip in the tidal pool, ride the waves or simply sip a hot drink in the beach café, winter days feel warmer when the Soul Sauna is fired up beside the beach.

Sensory Spa Garden, Mawgan Porth, Nr Padstow

Photo courtesy of Bedruthan Sensory Spa Garden, Mawgan Porth

Hike up the cliffs from the surf-lashed sands of Mawgan Porth, and before you reach the iconic rock giants at Bedruthan Steps, you’ll come across a sensory spa garden where you can indulge in a few luxury trimmings with your wave-side sauna experience. As well as a sauna with stunning sea views, the alfresco Nordic-inspired Cornish wellbeing experience at Bedruthan Hotel also comes with an exfoliating body scrub, cold bucket drench, hot tub and foot soak beside the fire. Bliss. 

Ocean Soul Sauna, Summerleaze, Bude, North Cornwall

Photo courtesy of Ocean Soul Sauna, Bude

The buzzing beach town of Bude is packed with boutiques and beaches and is well worth a visit when you’re staying in and around Padstow. Back in the 1930s, the 90-metre Bude Sea Pool opened to much applause on Summerleaze Beach and, to this day, provides a safe haven for swimmers year-round. And now that Ocean Soul Sauna has popped their sauna on the sand nearby, there’s no excuse not to venture in for a chilly dip before warming your cockles with a view over the beach.

Take a Relaxing Break by the Sea in Cornwall

Now you know where to feel the glow by the coast, why not book your next break to Cornwall? Choose one of our handpicked collection of holiday cottages in North Cornwall, and get cosy beside the sea this winter or spring.